Welcoming Streets: A New Chapter Downtown

For over three years, the Welcoming Streets initiative has made a meaningful difference in downtown Kingston — supporting businesses and employees through complex situations, and building genuine, trusting relationships with individuals who call our streets home. That work has shaped a program we're proud of, and its impact continues.

Welcoming Streets has taught us a great deal about what this community needs — and what it takes to deliver that well, day after day with sustainability in mind. Working closely with AMHS, the BIA has been working on building a stronger foundation: a refined model that channels the team's energy where it matters most, while making sure the people doing this work are genuinely set up to thrive in it.

What has changed:

The refreshed model moves from a seven-day to a five-day service week from 9 am - 4 pm, allowing the team to focus their energy, coordinate more effectively, and show up consistently for the businesses and individuals who count on them. This means that on the weekends or after hours if you need support reach out to the AMHS-KFLA Crisis Line. They are available 24/7 at 613-544-4229.

Leading this new chapter is Rachel Dingemans, Welcoming Streets Outreach Coordinator, who brings both professional experience and a genuine passion for the program's mission. Joining her is Ainsley Wronski as Welcoming Streets Community Support Liaison — a familiar face to many of you from the Lunch By George collaborative initiative that ran out of the BIA office. AMHS Case Manager Kim Wills continues her valuable work supporting outreach and supporting clients from the downtown core.

We're grateful to everyone who has been part of Welcoming Streets to date, and we're excited about what this next phase brings. Stay tuned — upcoming training opportunities for businesses and their employees will be announced soon.

More information on the Welcoming Street program: https://www.member.downtownkingston.ca/welcoming-streets